Parmeshwar Godrej, Indian socialite, philanthropist, and wife of the Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej, passed away on Monday night at the Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai.

Parmeshwar was suffering from a degenerative ailment in the lungs, India Today reported citing fashionscandal.com.

Parmeshwar worked towards combating AIDS in India through the Heroes Project, an initiative launched by her in 2004 with Hollywood actor Richard Gere. The Heroes Project was also supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative.

Parmeshwar worked as an air hostesses for Air India before getting married to the chairman of the Godrej Group.

Former cricketer and Pakistani politician Imran Khan expressed his condolences to the Godrej family on Twitter saying:

"Devastated by death of close friend, Parmeshwar Godrej, last night: she was always there for me in my most difficult times. May her husband Adhi and her children find strength to cope with this loss."

Parmeshwar Godrej with Anila Kapoor and Adi GodrejIANS

India's former Minister for Telecom Milind Deora also tweeted saying: "Deepest condolences to Adi uncle, Tanya, @ngodrej, Pirojsha & family. Will miss Parmeshwar Godrej, one of the warmest/toughest people I knew."